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INSIDE LIFE OF NIGERIAN INMATES AWAITING TRIAL Behind prison walls, the life of inmates is a stark contrast to the freedom people take for granted. For inmates, each day begins under the cloak of confinement, with a monotonous routine that is only broken by the rare arrival of visitors. The prison gates, steel doors, and the constant shuffling of guards’ …

FAME, FORTUNES, FAREWELLS IN NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN 2024 The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with Nollywood delivering box office hits and Nigerian artistes dominating global music charts, the nation witnessed some of the most talked-about weddings and controversies that made headlines. In this feature, Weekend Trust takes you on a journey through these …

OONI’S EX-QUEEN, NAOMI, ON HUNGER STRIKE IN AGODI PRISON, SAYS MOTHER Mrs Funmilayo Ogunseyi, mother of the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, shares with BIODUN BUSARI the excruciating experience of her daughter, Naomi Silekunola, after the stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children in Ibadan What did the police tell you about the ex-queen’s detention? The police …

UNCERTAINTY OVER RENEWED EFFORTS TO REVIVE AJAOKUTA COMPANY The Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), once heralded as a beacon of industrialisation for Nigeria, now stands as a symbol of dashed hopes. Despite federal government’s spending of over $10bn in the 45 years since its inception, the project remains uncompleted, casting a long shadow over the host community. Our correspondents observe …

FG SIGNS MOU WITH JAPAN TO ENHANCE RICE PRODUCTION The National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, has formalised a partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to enhance rice seed production systems across Nigeria. The collaboration, cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), underscores a commitment to strengthening the nation’s agricultural development goals. As part of the …

FG DENIES ANY PLAN FOR FRENCH MILITARY BASE IN NIGERIA The Nigerian government has refuted allegations made by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of state in Niger Republic, claiming that Nigeria is collaborating with France to establish a military base in its northern region to monitor Niger, Chad, and other neighbouring countries.Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa, the National …

STATES FALL SHORT OF 2024 BUDGET TARGETS AMID 2025 BUDGET PRESENTATIONS BY GOVERNORS A recent review of select Nigerian states’ budget performance revealed that none of them achieved a 60% budget performance rate between January and September 2024 (Q1 – Q3). This underwhelming performance comes at a time when states are preparing to implement substantial budgets for the 2025 fiscal …

HERDSMEN WILL PAY DEARLY FOR CHRISTMAS DAY ATTACK IN BENUE – GOV. HYACINTH ALIA Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has expressed deep sadness over the unprovoked attacks on Anwase community in Kwande Local Government Area Benue State, where about 11 innocent residents were gruesomely murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The incident happened on December 25 when the people were celebrating Christmas …

HOW KIDNAPPERS IN POLICE UNIFORMS MAIM, KILL MOTORISTS, PASSENGERS ALONG ENUGU HIGHWAY Ugwuogo Nike/Opi Nsukka has become a nightmare for motorists, passengers as kidnappers in police uniforms maim, kill road usersPassengers, drivers recount their ordeals, say the road has become more dangerous as the day goes byEnugu state government awards contract for dual carriage way of the roadFor the people …

ANAMBRA STATE: GUNMEN KILL CATHOLIC PRIEST, ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP, LAWMAKER MISSING A priest with the Nnewi Catholic Diocese in Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Tobias has been killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen. The incident, according to the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu occurred on Thursday, December 26, 2024, between 7pm and 8pm along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Ihiala, Ihiala …